PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go extended his gratitude to the essential workers of Carmen, North Cotabato for their service to their community during this time of pandemic. He urged them to observe the health protocols all the time to minimize their risk of catching and spreading the coronavirus. He emphasized that the public’s cooperation is necessary in saving lives.

“Binabalanse ng gobyerno ang lahat, ang ekonomiya, inyong kabuhayan at kalusugan. Pero pangunahing konsiderasyon natin ngayon ay ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” Go emphasized.

“Kaya pakiusap namin ni Pangulong Duterte, maging disiplinado at ‘wag maging kumpiyansa. Magtulungan tayong lahat para malampasan natin ang krisis na ito,” he continued.

Go’s team held a distribution activity at the Carmen Municipal Gym on Thursday, August 5. They provided meals, vitamins, masks and face shields to a total of 140 workers, consisting of farmers, vendors and members of the Skylab Drivers and Operators Association.

Selected beneficiaries received new pairs of shoes while others were given bicycles. Some workers were also provided computer tablets to help enhance their children’s access to education.

To help them recover from the financial hardships caused by the ongoing crisis, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Labor and Employment distributed separate financial assistance through their Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations and Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged / Displaced Workers programs, respectively.

The Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority also committed, upon completing their assessments, to provide further training and livelihood aid to qualified beneficiaries.

“Nagpapasalamat kami kay Presidente Rodrigo Duterte at Senator Bong Go para sa suporta at tulong nila sa aming kahirapan. Umaasa kami na hindi lang ‘to sa pagkakataong ito, na tutulong pa din sila hanggang sa katapusan kahit wala na sila posisyon,” said Epenito Itac.

In a video message to the beneficiaries, the Senator called on the sick and elderly to visit the nearest Malasakit Center located at the Cotabato Provincial Hospital in Kidapawan City where they may conveniently avail the medical assistance offered by the government.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop which brings together the relevant agencies, namely the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, under one roof. With 134 Malasakit centers already established, these have benefited more than two million Filipinos nationwide.

“Sa mga pasyente dito, kung may bill kayo, ilapit niyo lang ito sa Malasakit Center at tutulungan kayo nito makahingi ng tulong sa mga ahensya ng gobyerno. Hindi niyo na kailangang bumiyahe para pumila sa iba’t ibang opisina. Wala itong pinipili. Basta poor at indigent patient ka, qualified ka sa Malasakit Center,” explained Go.

“Hindi niyo na kailangang mahirapan dahil sa totoo naman, pera niyo naman ‘yan. Binabalik lang namin ito sa inyo sa pamamagitan ng mabilis at maayos na serbisyo mula sa Malasakit Centers,” he added.

Among the local leaders whose hardwork Go recognized were 3rd District Representative Jose Tejada; Governor Nancy Catamco; Vice Governor Emmylou Talino-Mendoza; Mayor Moises Arendain; Vice Mayor Roger Talino; Councilors Alberto Rivera, Jaime Sillador, Delfos Manampan, Benjamin Patricio, Jr., Anathy Naquitquitan, Arsenio Colago, Justo Saberola. Jr, and Elmer Badoy; Association of Barangay Captains President Jimmy Cabrillos; Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative Arsenio Ampalid; and Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Welvyn Cantomayo.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has supported efforts to boost infrastructure development in North Cotabato, such as the concreting of roads in Alamada, Banisilan, Libungan, Midsayap, President Roxas and Kidapawan City; construction of the Maria Caridad Bridge in Arakan, Aringay Bridge in Kabacan, Guangan Bridge in Makilala, and Del Pilar Bridge in Kidapawan City; construction or rehabilitation of drainage canals in Kabacan and Pikit; and construction of potable water system facilities in Tulunan.

Other initiatives that Go supported include the construction of multi-purpose buildings in Arakan, Makilala, Tulunan and Kidapawan City, barangay halls in Matalam and Midsayap, a Liga office in Makilala, and a slaughterhouse and a public market in Arakan; and the improvement of a public market building in Pigcawayan; among others.

The Senator's team also delivered aid to 939 essential workers in Tulunan and Kabacan on August 3 and 4, respectively. All activities were conducted in batches in strict compliance with the health and safety protocols against COVID-19. (OSBG)